scholarly journals On the Role of Poly-Glutamic Acid in the Early Stages of Iron(III) (Oxy)(hydr)oxide Formation

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 715
Author(s):  
Miodrag J. Lukić ◽  
Felix Lücke ◽  
Teodora Ilić ◽  
Katharina Petrović ◽  
Denis Gebauer

Nucleation of minerals in the presence of additives is critical for achieving control over the formation of solids in biomineralization processes or during syntheses of advanced hybrid materials. Herein, we investigated the early stages of Fe(III) (oxy)(hydr)oxide formation with/without polyglutamic acid (pGlu) at low driving force for phase separation (pH 2.0 to 3.0). We employed an advanced pH-constant titration assay, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis with mass spectrometry, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Three stages were observed: initial binding, stabilization of Fe(III) pre-nucleation clusters (PNCs), and phase separation, yielding Fe(III) (oxy)(hydr)oxide. The data suggest that organic–inorganic interactions occurred via binding of olation Fe(III) PNC species. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses revealed a plausible interaction motif and a conformational adaptation of the polypeptide. The stabilization of the aqueous Fe(III) system against nucleation by pGlu contrasts with the previously reported influence of poly-aspartic acid (pAsp). While this is difficult to explain based on classical nucleation theory, alternative notions such as the so-called PNC pathway provide a possible rationale. Developing a nucleation theory that successfully explains and predicts distinct influences for chemically similar additives like pAsp and pGlu is the Holy Grail toward advancing the knowledge of nucleation, early growth, and structure formation.

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 2747-2752
Author(s):  
Constantin Marutoiu ◽  
Ioan Bratu ◽  
Mircea Gelu Buta ◽  
Olivia Florena Nemes ◽  
Sergiu Petru Timbus(Monk Siluan) ◽  
...  

A two-sided wooden icon from a monastery in Transylvania was submitted for multidisciplinary investigations involving X-Ray Fluorescence, Radiographic Photographyand Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The most important part of the icon is St. Nicholas wooden icon, painted over forty years ago. The spectroscopic methods used revealed the painting materials composition, the status of the wooden stage, and the presence of resins as varnish (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy). On one side, the St Nicholasicon was painted over an old icon, St. Arch. Michael, which was evidenced by X-Ray Photography. The obtained data can serve for the preservation and the restoration of these wooden icons.


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